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So I'm going to buy an iMac this weekend during NC tax free days. I'm leaning towards the 27 incher, which I can get for $1599 from the mac ed store. But the 21.5 is $200 less. So, is it worth it? I mostly do web stuff, word writing and some iphoto and imovie work. I currently have the original intel 20 inch core solo iMac. Interested in opinions.
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Also meant to ask about opinions of magic mouse vs. magic trackpad. I currently use and like the magic mouse.
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Go with the 27". You will likely get most of that back in future resale value, and you will have he enjoyment of it over that time.
Since you already have the Magic Mouse--get the TrackPad, since it will be more effective with gestures in Lion.
Little tip: In the Apple Physical AppleStores, the current boxed configuration is with the short keyboard and Magic Mouse. If you request a TrackPad and sometimes the extended wired keyboard, they MAY give you them, and not take the ones out of the box. YMMV
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mattkime wrote:
27"!
:agree:
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Go with the 27, unless you are planning on moving it a lot. Then get the
21" iMac *and* the
27-inch Thunderbolt Display. Perfect combo for "I want a portable Mac but not a laptop". An
iLugger'll help with that.
re/Mice; if those are your choices, I would say the Magic Mouse because it's kind of a best-of-both-worlds, though the trackpad is the future. I have the trackpad and I'm honestly not too keen on it.
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Marty,
Can't answer the question without seeing the actual specs of the machines. For example, if the 21" only has 2 gigs of RAM and the 27" has 4 gigs of RAM, you'll immediately want to drop the bucks for a RAM upgrade for the 21" model. The cost to do it may bring the price tag close enough to the 27" model that you may as well get the 27" model in the first place.
Also check to see what alternatives to the Apple store have in stock. You may end up doing better price-wise by going to a place like Expercom.com or Smalldog.com.
And, definitely check out what savings are available via studentrate.com. They can guide you to super deals on _everything_ and then some!
Robert
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Another vote for a 27" iMac.
Make sure, if you are putting it into a desk/credenza that it will fit. That would suck, coming home with one of those and it won't fit into your workspace.
Jeff